The Children’s Grief Network And Creative 360 Partner To Offer The Multiverse Of Grief: A Multicultural & Expressive Approach To Grief Narratives

The Children’s Grief Center of the Great Lakes Bay Region, in collaboration with Creative 360, is proud to offer, “The Multiverse of Grief: A Multicultural & Expressive Approach to Grief Narratives”, a real time, virtual workshop providing training in the creation of supportive spaces for individuals from diverse backgrounds to explore and express their experiences of grief through various creative mediums.

“The Multiverse of Grief” Webinar will be presented at Creative 360’s Jefferson Avenue location on March 19th at 1 pm. Presenter, Adam D-F. Stevens (they/them), MA, RDT, is a Registered Drama Therapist (RDT) who works at the Hetrick-Martin Institute, a non-profit organization that serves LGBTQAI+ youth in NYC. Their role includes supporting queer youth in transforming their loss and grief into unapologetic, abundant joy and empowerment. Previously, Adam worked at the Cooke School &Institute, NYC, guiding young people with developmental and intellectual differences. They are alumni of Marymount Manhattan College and New York University where their areas of study included Theatre Arts and Drama Therapy respectively. Adam serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Creative Arts Therapy Programs at Antioch University in Seattle, and New York University and Marymount Manhattan College in NYC.

Stevens will delve into the landscape of grief, utilizing relatable examples from graphic novels like X-MEN and incorporating Drama Therapy while considering cultural humility and social justice. Participants in the program will actively engage in grief planning for broader populations and individuals, uncovering embodied grief within various communities, expanding the understanding of grief to include collective, disenfranchised, suffocated, and non-death-related experiences, and emphasizing cultural responsibilities in serving youth populations.

Webinar attendees will create their own Graphic Novel while networking with other area professionals. This course has Continuing Education credits available.

“This collaboration with the Children’s Grief Center of the Great Lakes Bay Region makes so much sense!” remarked Children’s Grief Center GGLBR director, Chris Sabourin. “The Grief Center works to provide healing environments for children, teens, and families who are grieving a death and Creative 360’s mission is to create safe and supportive environments for people to experience the healing power of creativity in their lives.  The workshop creates opportunities for both artists and care providers to experience new ways to apply the power of the arts towards transformative healing.”

The program is open to individuals of all ages and cultural backgrounds, including children, adolescents, adults, and families. Scholarships and financial assistance will be available to ensure accessibility for all who wish to participate.

Cost for this event is $30 per person with group discounts available. Please contact Kelly Ireland at 989-495-9335 or [email protected] for scholarship details.  $45 will be due to NACG (virtually) at the close of the event for those wishing to purchase CEs. Continuing Education credits available include: ASWB, NBCC, NYSED, from NACG and RDT, LCAT, from NYU Steinhardt.

About the Children’s Grief Network: The Children’s Grief Network is a nonprofit organization committed to providing support, resources, and education to children and families coping with grief and loss. Their mission is to: Provide a healing environment through peer support for children, teens and their families grieving a death.

About Creative 360
Creative 360 is a not-for-profit community arts and wellness organization founded in 1994. Its mission is to create environments that allow people of all ages and abilities to experience the creative process, and to enhance physical, mental and spiritual wellness through the arts and humanities. The organization’s core values of inclusiveness, creativity, respect and community drive the culture at Creative 360. Activities at Creative 360 are supported in part by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, Midland Area Community Foundation and The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation. Visit www.becreative360.org for information about the offerings at Creative 360, or call (989) 837-1885 to request a mailed copy of the current schedule.